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Police Win Award for Anti-Violence Plan

Police in Hamilton, Scotland, have won an award for their strategy to combat alcohol fuelled violence in their town.

The ‘Safer Streets’ initiative is not a new concept, it has been around since it’s launch in 2006. But this year it was awarded the regional prize for Scotland and Northern Island at the Tilley Awards ceremony, held at Westminster Palace. The local constabulary worked in partnership with the South Lanarkshire Community Safety Partnership to introduce measures including high profile policing and taxi marshalling as well as improvements being made to the city centre lighting to deter criminal behaviour.

The main initiatives for the Safer Streets campaign, according to Scotland.gov are: Reducing crime, in particular violent crime. Tackling alcohol related disorder. Diverting young people from crime and anti-social behaviour. Reducing fear of crime – increasing community reassurance. Improving road, fire and home safety. Strengthening partnership working. The initiative has seen recorded crime incidents fall by 86% from 147 in 2005 to only 20 in 2009. This is even though the scheme has been receiving less money. The funds allocated to the Safer Streets programme from South Lanarkshire Council in total for 2009-10 is £400,000. Safer Streets on the Scottish Government homepage. Return to Abbeycare News.